Year 9 - History
Decolonisation in the Caribbean
Decolonisation: how similar was decolonisation throughout the British Empire?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the similarities and differences between decolonisation in various parts of the British Empire. They examine this process in Ireland, India, Palestine, Africa and the Caribbean, providing them with ample knowledge to compare the experiences of each.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain events leading to independence for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.
Key Notes
- The 1930s saw unrest in Britain's Caribbean colonies, including strikes and riots over living and working conditions.
- The Moyne Report recognised these conditions, recommending political and economic reforms.
- In 1944, a new constitution was made for Jamaica which gave the country greater autonomy and self government.
- Britain unsuccessfully attempted to unite its Caribbean colonies into the West Indian Federation (1958-62).
- In 1962, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were granted independence from Britain, with many states following suit.
Vocabulary To Learn
- plantation: a large estate on which cash crops, such as sugar cane, are grown
- autonomy: having the freedom to make your own decisions and control your own affairs without outside interference
- constitution: the basic principles or laws which govern a nation state
- self government: when people in a community or region make their own decisions about laws, policies, and leadership without outside control
- federation: a system where different states or regions come together to form a single, larger organisation, while still keeping some control over their own local affairs
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Caribbean countries gained independence from Britain at the same time.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The 1930s saw unrest in Britain's Caribbean colonies, including strikes and riots over living and working conditions. The Moyne Report recognised these conditions, recommending political and economic reforms.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'plantation'
a large estate on which cash crops, such as sugar cane, are grown.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: All Caribbean countries gained independence from Britain at the same time. Correction: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were the first of Britain's Caribbean colonies to achieve independence in 1962, however, the last British colony in the Caribbean to gain independence was Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983.
More Lessons In This Unit
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